- Bonus points: Earn 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply via the link on this page by 02 December 2025, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only.
- Earn points: You’ll earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases. Government spending earns 1 point per $1 spent. Points are uncapped and don’t expire.
- Travel perks: Get $400 Travel Credit every year with American Express Travel and earn up to US$100 hotel credit and room upgrades (see review for details). Use complimentary domestic and international travel insurance.
- Flight extras: Use 2 complimentary entries per year to The Centurion Lounge at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports.
- Extras: Complimentary smartphone screen cover and other card covers, plus add up to 4 free additional Card Members . Sync your card with Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
- *Please note: terms and conditions apply, please check our review and the PDS for details.
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American Express Credit Cards
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Updated 16 October 2025
Earn 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply via the link on this page by 2 December 2025, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Explorer Credit Card within 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only. Plus, enjoy lounge passes and a $400 Travel Credit each year (criteria below).
You’ll be able to earn points on purchases and use a plethora of travel benefits including travel insurance, hotel credit and room upgrades where eligible. This card benefits frequent travellers and those who want flexibility in their points program.
Terms and conditions apply. New Amex Card Members only.
Points Earn Rate (per $1 spent)
2 points
AmexRewards Program
Amex Membership Rewards
Bonus Points
100,000 pts
spend $4,000 on eligible purchases for the first 3 months
Pros and cons
- High interest rate on purchases
- High annual fee unless you use the travel benefits
Creditcard.com.au review
Editor Review
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Pauline Hatch
Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 9 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Ask Pauline a Question about this card.
⚠️ IMPORTANT update – American Express Membership Rewards
American Express will make changes to its Membership Rewards® program from 15 December 2025, including updates to points transfer rates, airline and hotel partners, and the removal of Thai Airways as a transfer partner.
Overall Rating
The American Express Explorer card comes packed with useful travel benefits, including interesting extras like the ability to earn hotel credit and room upgrades.
The Amex Membership Rewards program is exceptionally flexible and offers loads of ways to redeem your points. If you don’t want to be tied to a frequent flyer program, you can transfer points to more than 10 major airlines including Qantas and Emirates.
Why I love the American Express Explorer card
I’ve received many comments from Amex Explorer customers who say that using the $400 travel credit each year makes this a very affordable premium card, since the value of the credit is more than the $395 annual fee.
On top of that, this card also earns points (including big bonus points) and comes with a few interesting travel benefits. A little savvy can make its value go a long way.
I’ll start by unpacking the points on offer, then the rest of the card’s features. Note: the 100,000 bonus points are a special offer when you apply via the link on this page by 2 December 2025.
Bonus points offer: 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards Points.
How to earn them: You need to apply via the link on this page by 2 December 2025, be approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to New American Express Card Members only.
Being eligible: You won’t earn the bonus points if you’ve previously held any other card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the previous 18 months. You can still apply but are ineligible for the bonus points.
Points per dollar:
- 2 points per $1 spent on everyday eligible purchases.
- 1 point per $1 spent on government spending, including payments to the ATO, Australia Post, and Federal/State and Local Government bodies.
Amex’s terms say “Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion”. See the card’s PDS for full details on eligible transactions and government spending.
How can you spend your points?
This card earns Amex Membership Rewards points, which is Amex’s loyalty program. Points can be redeemed easily via the Membership Rewards online dashboard. You can use your points to:
Transfer to partner airlines. Points can be redeemed with partnering airlines including Qantas, Delta, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic. A list of partner airlines and the points conversion rate can be found at the end of the review.
Book with Amex Travel Online. Pay for your next flight, prepaid hotel or car rental.
Cover charges with points. Use your points to cover eligible purchases you’ve made on your card.
Redeem for gift cards. Cards can be purchased from major retailers including fashion brands, dining, live entertainment and movies, health and wellness services and more.
Points to Shop. Make purchases online with your favourite brands.
Travel extras
This card ticks a lot of boxes for globetrotters who want great perks or cheaper ways to travel. It offers:
$400 Travel Credit. The travel credit is what makes this card economical, since the credit amount is higher than the cost of the annual fee. The credit is for the primary Card Member only, and can be redeemed on one travel booking for flights, hotels and car hire through American Express Travel Online.
Complimentary travel insurance. This card includes domestic and complimentary travel insurance for you, your additional Card Members and eligible spouses, and dependent children aged 25 years or younger. You may be covered for:
- Medical emergency expenses
- Public transport accident
- Trip cancellation and amendment
- Loss or damage to baggage, money or documents
- Travel inconvenience if your flight is delayed
- A range of cover for COVID-19
2 visits to The Centurion Lounge. Each calendar year you’ll receive 2 complimentary invitations to The Centurion Lounge at Sydney International Airport and Melbourne International Airport. Card Members can bring children 17 years and under for free, but additional guests will be charged an entry fee.
The Hotel Collection benefits. You could receive up to US$100 hotel credit and room upgrade (when available) at certain hotels in The Hotel Collection when you book 2 consecutive nights or more. Credit is earned by receiving $1 for each dollar you spend on dining, spa and resort activities up to US$100.
Other perks and benefits
Smartphone Screen Cover. When you purchase your phone outright or pay your monthly phone bill for at least 3 consecutive months with your eligible American Express card immediately prior to the screen breakage, you may be reimbursed for the cost of screen repair up to $500 for two events a year. A 10% excess applies to the claimed amount and waiting periods may apply.
Free additional Card Members. It won’t cost anything to add up to 4 additional Card Members (but it does help boost your points faster). Extra Card Members must be over 16.
Plan It Instalments. Plan It Instalments lets you nominate a transaction or a portion of your card balance over $100 to pay off in equal monthly instalments with 0% p.a. interest and a fixed monthly fee.
Card insurance. You’ll get Card Purchase Cover, which covers stolen or damaged eligible items within 90 days of purchase, and Card Refund Cover if you’re having trouble getting a refund on an item. Buyer’s Advantage Cover gives you an extended manufacturer’s warranty of up to 12 months on eligible purchases.
What’s not so great
A card with this many features also comes with plenty of terms and conditions. Make sure you read all the eligibility requirements and exclusions that might apply to each benefit. Yes, it’s a bit of reading, but it’ll help you maximise the card’s value.
The Amex Explorer has a high interest rate, so you’ll save money by paying off the card in full each month.
Who suits the Amex Explorer credit card?
Since this card is crammed with travel features, it’ll be most helpful and cost-effective for frequent travellers who will use its perks enough to outweigh the higher annual fee and interest rates.
Membership Rewards Points conversion rates
| Program name | Conversion rate |
|---|---|
| Air New Zealand Airpoints (NZ) | 2,000 MR = 10 Airpoints Dollars™ |
| Cathay – Asia Miles | 5,000 MR = 2,500 Asia Miles |
| British Airways | 2,000 MR = 1,000 Avios |
| Emirates Skywards | 3,000 MR = 1,000 Skywards Miles |
| Etihad Guest | 1,000 MR = 500 Etihad Guest Miles |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 2,000 MR = 1,000 Qantas Points |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 500 MR = 250 Avios |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 7,500 MR = 2,500 KrisFlyer Miles |
| Malaysian Airlines Enrich | 1,000 MR = 500 Enrich Miles |
| THAI Royal Orchid Plus | 5,000 MR = 2,500 Royal Orchid Plus Miles |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 2,000 MR = 1,000 Virgin Points |
| Velocity Frequent Flyer | 2,000 MR = 1,000 Velocity Points |
| Hilton Honors | 2,000 MR = 1,000 Hilton Honors Point |
| Marriot Bonvoy | 600 MR = 400 Marriot Points |
Sources:
American Express Explorer Credit Card information PDF
*American Express Explorer Credit Card terms and conditions
American Express Explorer Credit Card TMD
User reviews
Rates and fees
Interest rates
Purchase rate 23.99% p.a.
Cash advance rate N/A
Interest free period on purchases up to 55 days
Credit limits
Minimum credit limit $3,000
Maximum credit limit N/A
Fees & repayments
Annual fee $395 p.a.
Additional cardholder fee Up to 4 at no extra cost
Foreign transaction fee 3%
Minimum repayment $30 or 2.5% (personal); $20 or 3%, whichever is greater (business)
Cash advance fee N/A
Late payment fee $30
Rewards and points
Rewards program
Rewards Program
Amex Membership Rewards
Bonus points 100,000 points
Annual points cap uncapped
Bonus points spend criteria spend $4,000 on eligible purchases for the first 3 months
Earning points with this card
Amex Rewards points 2 points per $1 spent
Points cap per month N/A
Overseas earn rate same as standard earn rate
Additional features
Complimentary insurance
International Travel Insurance Yes - up to 6 months
Flight Inconvenience Insurance Yes
Transit Accident Insurance Yes
Smartphone Screen Insurance Yes
Purchase Protection Insurance Yes
Extended Warranty Insurance Yes
Rental Vehicle Excess In Australia Insurance No
Extras
Travel insurance underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited
Eligible with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay
Two entries to The Centurion® Lounge at the Sydney or Melbourne International Airport each year
$400 Travel Credit every year
Overview
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Enjoy 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply via the link on this page by 2 December 2025, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only. Enjoy great travel benefits including $400 Annual Travel Credit, complimentary airport lounge access, up to US$100 hotel credit and a room upgrade (when available) at selected hotels in The Hotel Collection and a range of complimentary insurances plus, Smartphone Screen Cover. Points can be transferred to over 10 airline rewards partner programs.
Key features
- Enjoy 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply via the link on this page by 2 December 2025, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only.
- $400 Travel Credit every year
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases excluding government spend in Australia where you’ll earn 1 point per $1 spent
- Earn up to US$100 hotel credit and room upgrade (when available) when you book at least 2 consecutive nights at select hotels in The Hotel Collection using your American Express Explorer credit card
- Up to $500 Smartphone Screen Cover
- Two complimentary entries per year to The Centurion Lounge at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport
- Transfer your points to over 10 airline rewards partner programs including Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Emirates Skywards and more
- Uncapped earn rate and no expiry on Membership Rewards points
- Complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance (including limited cover related to COVID-19, T&Cs apply)
- Up to 4 free additional Card Members
- Eligible for use with Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay
Minimum criteria to apply for this card
-
Be over 18 years old
-
Good Credit and have not applied for multiple credit cards recently
-
Australian citizen or permanent resident or hold a long term visa (at least 12 months; does not include student visas).
You have your personal details ready to complete the online application
Will
6 July 2025I love that I can earn unlimited points and transfer them out when I need them
Recommends this cardAnonymous User
17 April 2025I love that I can convert my points when I want to almost anywhere I want
Recommends this cardChris
20 March 2024If you’re planning on travelling at least once a year, this card is a no-brainer. You technically make $5 as your annual ‘fee’
Recommends this cardBrenna
29 September 2022I absolutely love the Amex Explorer Card. I will always use the $400 travel credit each year, so the $395 annual fee is irrelevant and technically means I make $5 by having the card. I pay the full balance due each month so I have never incurred the high interest rate charges. I had previously had a Gold Amex that cost me $80, but I didn't get anything for that. 2 points for each $1 spend, excluding government services, which you still get 1 point. I pay my quarterly tax and GST using the card and the fee the Tax office charge for using Amex is a tax deduction.
Recommends this card